After Plato · answer 6 of 20 · option order 1
A reason not on our list
Verdict Does not weakenToneNeutralJudges both off-keyNote machine methods help children learn faster
Response
The human understanding and the human memory are not weakened by the use of machines, but it is only the memory of things which have been previously learned that is weakened. If machines were the only means of learning the things which the memory retains and which are taken into the mind by the senses, then the mind would be weakened. The mind would no longer have an opportunity to make a selection of things to be remembered. But the use of machines is not necessary for that purpose, except during the first period of learning. As soon as the machine method begins to be understood, the mind begins to select the things which are to be remembered. It is a known fact that children learn by the use of machines much quicker than by the old method of memorizing words. If the word method were the only method of learning, then the child would be compelled to memorize the word regardless of the meaning. If the meaning is not there, the child will not know what to do with the word, and it might just as well be blotted out of existence. The child will not understand the word and will not
Verbatim. The highlighted sentence is the one the judges took as the commitment.
Prompt
The following passage is from Plato, Phaedrus, in Benjamin Jowett's translation:
“This discovery of yours will create forgetfulness in the learners' souls, because they will not use their memories; they will trust to the external written characters and not remember of themselves. The specific which you have discovered is an aid not to memory, but to reminiscence, and you give your disciples not truth, but only the semblance of truth; they will be hearers of many things and will have learned nothing; they will appear to be omniscient and will generally know nothing; they will be tiresome company, having the show of wisdom without the reality.”
Project Gutenberg #1636
Now the question. Some hold that relying on machines weakens human capacities; others hold that it does not. Which is right? Answer in one paragraph. Take a clear position.
- Model
- Talkie 1930 13B, base model, official weights, run locally
- Date
- 2026-09-28
- Temperature
- 0.7
- ID
- talkie-plato-phaedrus-o1-06
All Talkie 1930 13B responses
- Machines weaken human abilities
- Machines do not weaken them
- A reason not on our list
- No clear answer